Lagos First Lady, Army urge Boys to embrace discipline, Military careers

The First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has urged boys across the state to cultivate discipline and consider careers in the military and other security services as viable paths to leadership and national service.

She gave the charge during an exposition tour organised under the Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) 2026, a flagship programme of the Office of the First Lady.

The boys, drawn from secondary schools across Lagos, visited Command Day Secondary School at TA Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja, and the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft in Apapa.

At the Ikeja Cantonment, Mrs Sanwo-Olu was represented by Falilat Obasa, wife of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

Now in its fourth edition, the LBCI seeks to expand educational opportunities and nurture a generation of responsible young men capable of making meaningful contributions to society. This year’s edition features over 500 boys from public and private schools, correctional facilities and diverse backgrounds.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu observed that interest among Lagos youths in military and security careers remains below expectations, largely due to limited exposure to the operations and opportunities within such institutions.

She explained that the tour was designed to bridge that gap and inspire informed career decisions.

“It is in response to this that we have curated this exposition tour as part of activities lined up for this year’s Lagos Boy Child Initiative, LBCI, to equip our boys with first-hand experience and insight into the workings of the Department of State Services, as well as the Nigerian Armed Forces. It is our intention that these boys will be exposed to the discipline, structure, and opportunities within this organization in particular.

“These experiences will not just serve as an excursion to these young boys but will instead be precursors into possible futures. It is important for our boys to understand that this stage of their lives is a critical time for making informed career choices, especially in the security sector,” she said.

She commended the Nigerian Army for partnering with the Lagos State Government in advancing the objectives of the initiative.

In his remarks, the Commander of the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja, Brigadier-General Ayokunle Owolabi, praised the First Lady for what he described as a noble platform for shaping young minds and steering them away from negative influences.

He encouraged the boys to remain disciplined and focused in pursuing their aspirations.

“This is a life changing initiative. The Nigerian Army is not just about uniform, it is about honour, leadership, selfless service and standing firm. There’s no better service than serving humanity and your country.

“Discipline and training acquired in the Nigerian Army prepares one for higher positions in the future. Army build leaders. Your background should not limit you , your determination should elevate you. Nigeria is counting on you, “ he said.

He further noted that the Nigerian Army has produced distinguished leaders who rose to national prominence through discipline and service, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and General Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd).

The engagement formed part of broader efforts by the Lagos State Government to instill values of responsibility, patriotism and purposeful career planning among young boys at a formative stage of their development.